Index.hr: A History of Legal Battles and Financial Turmoil
Index.hr, a prominent Croatian news portal, has a long history marked by high-profile legal disputes, clashes with public figures, and significant financial instability. From privacy violations involving celebrities to accusations of religious insensitivity and corporate bankruptcy, the publisher has frequently found itself at the center of judicial scrutiny.
Key Facts
- Privacy Violation: Severina Vučković was awarded HRK 100,000 in damages after Index.hr published explicit screenshots.
- Political Litigation: Former Finance Minister Slavko Linić filed two lawsuits for HRK 210,000, both of which were dismissed.
- Religious Controversy: The site faced backlash and lawsuits over a satirical article regarding Saint Leopold Mandić.
- Corporate Fraud: Owner Babić received a community service sentence and a HRK 300,000 fine for using fictitious contracts.
- Financial Collapse: Multiple related entities, including Index portal d.o.o. and Sport Index d.o.o., faced bankruptcy or debt crises.
The Severina Vučković Privacy Lawsuit
One of the most enduring legal battles for Index.hr began in 2004 when Croatian singer Severina sued the portal for publishing explicit screenshots from a sex tape. While the court dismissed the claims regarding copyright infringement, it ruled that the portal had violated the singer's privacy, ordering Index.hr to pay HRK 100,000 in compensation.
The aftermath of the ruling was characterized by a decade of non-payment. By 2012, enforcement actions were initiated as the debt grew to HRK 200,000 due to accumulated interest and court costs. In a unique turn of events in 2014, Severina was granted the status of intellectual proprietor of the Index brand and logo through enforcement action, although the court later determined that compensation could not be recovered from the publisher's account.
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Political and Religious Conflicts
Index.hr has also clashed with government officials and religious organizations. In 2014, Slavko Linić, the Minister of Finance at the time, initiated two lawsuits against Index.hr and its publisher, Index promocija d.o.o., seeking HRK 210,000 in damages. Both cases were dismissed by the Rijeka County Court during first-instance proceedings.
The Saint Leopold Mandić Controversy
In 2016, the portal published a controversial piece regarding the veneration of the remains of the Croatian Catholic saint Leopold Mandić. This led to a wave of criticism and death threats against the site's journalists. The Croatian Journalists' Association (HND) condemned the language used in the article as "deeply insulting and disparaging" to believers, while simultaneously condemning the threats against the staff.
The controversy sparked a divide among professional bodies. The Croatian Journalists and Publicists association (HNiP) accused the Council for Electronic Media (VEM) of ideological bias for failing to hold the publisher accountable. However, in 2017, the court ruled in favor of Index.hr in a case brought by five civil associations. The judge accepted the defense that the article was a work of satirical criticism and not intended to target believers.
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Financial Decline and Bankruptcy
The legal troubles of Index.hr were mirrored by severe financial instability. In February 2014, the Croatian finance agency Fina rejected a pre-bankruptcy settlement proposal of HRK 2.4 million from Index portal d.o.o. and Prva stanica d.o.o., companies linked to the brand's owner, Babić.
The financial crisis escalated into criminal proceedings. Babić was accused of using fictitious contracts with Vana Šalov Violić to sell his damaged company for approximately HRK 2.8 million. In April 2015, the Zagreb County Court sentenced Babić to one year in prison, which was subsequently replaced by community service. He was also fined HRK 300,000, and both Babić and Šalov Violić were ordered to pay roughly 1 million kuna to the state budget and HRK 600,000 to the damaged company.
The instability extended to other ventures; in 2016, Sport Index d.o.o., another entity related to Babić and Index.hr, entered bankruptcy proceedings with debts exceeding HRK 290,000.
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Summary of Legal and Financial Events
| Party Involved | Nature of Dispute | Outcome/Penalty |
|---|---|---|
| Severina Vučković | Privacy Violation | HRK 100,000 compensation (later grew to 200k) |
| Slavko Linić | Damages Lawsuit | Dismissed by Rijeka County Court |
| Catholic Associations | Religious Discrimination | Case lost; ruled as satirical criticism |
| Babić (Owner) | Fictitious Contracts | Community service and HRK 300,000 fine |
| Index portal d.o.o. | Debt/Bankruptcy | Pre-bankruptcy settlement of HRK 2.4M rejected |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Severina Vučković sue Index.hr?
Severina sued the portal in 2004 for publishing explicit screenshots from a sex tape, alleging a violation of her privacy.
What happened with the lawsuit filed by Slavko Linić?
The former Minister of Finance sought HRK 210,000 in damages through two lawsuits in 2014, but both were dismissed by the Rijeka County Court.
Was Index.hr found guilty of discriminating against Catholics?
No. In 2017, a judge ruled that the article regarding Saint Leopold Mandić was satirical criticism and that believers were not the intended target.
What were the criminal charges against the owner, Babić?
Babić was convicted of using fictitious contracts to sell his damaged company for approximately HRK 2.8 million.
Which companies associated with Index.hr faced bankruptcy?
Index portal d.o.o., Prva stanica d.o.o., and Sport Index d.o.o. all faced significant debt or bankruptcy proceedings.